Ceropegia linearis

E. Mey.

Rosary vine, Chain of hearts

Apocynaceae Edible: Stems - water, Root, Tubers 198 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Ceropegia linearis, also known as string-of-needles, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae, native to Southern Africa. The popular houseplant Ceropegia woodii is sometimes treated as a subspecies of C. linearis, as C. linearis subsp. woodii. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Description

A creeping and climbing herb. It is often grown as a hanging basket. The leaves can be 3-4 cm long.

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Edible Uses

The stems are valued for their water content, and the roots and tubers are edible.

Medicinal Uses

A decoction of leafy stems is taken to treat chest complaints.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant.

Where It Grows

Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa*, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Succeeds in full sun and in light shade. Requires a well-drained soil[. The amount of moisture available to the plant determines the colour and thickness of the leaves. Plants kept moist have thin, solid green leaves. When it gets drier, the leaves thicken and get their silvery coating - this is probably used to reflect some of the sun to decrease temperature stress.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Division of the small tubers which form along the stem at the leaf bases. These tubers can be planted to produce new vines - just press them into the soil, and keep moist but not wet. The tubers root more quickly if they are still attached to the mother plant. Once rooted and growing, the new plant can be easily severed from the parent.